5 HABITS BIBLE STUDY WEEK #5

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 3:1-18

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 LUKE 6:38

      DAY 2 PROVERBS 4:23

      DAY 3 PROVERBS 23:19

      DAY 4 MARK 12:31

      DAY 5 HEBREW 12:2

In our study this week, we read about Emotional Generosity. What is it? Let’s look at the definition of generosity first. According to Dictionary.com, generosity means: freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

Many times our happiness is challenged by the people we encounter each day, It could be someone on the phones, a teller at the bank, someone driving, a co-worker, spouse, friend or anyone else you may encounter. These encounters are often negatively draining our positive emotions. However, we cannot avoid them, but we can keep our own happiness and reduce the negative emotions that come from these encounters, if we respond with Emotional Generosity.

What is your default reaction when something negative happens to you? How do you react when you are offended? Mistreated? Life goes bad?

Emotional Generosity is the quality of being kind, welcoming and understanding of others, even with all of their flaws, mistakes, quirks, and imperfections without being judgmental. In other words, “cut them some slack”. Give them the benefit of the doubt. They are still accountable for their actions, but you will give them Emotional Generosity.

This is about you taking ownership of your own emotions and reactions, to feel more peace. However emotional generosity is one of the HARDEST forms of kindness to give.

When we offer emotional generosity to others, we create an atmosphere for God to do something powerful IN us and THROUGH us.

We may not WANT to give others what we need. We may often give others what we think they deserve. Snappy comeback. A nasty look. A unforgiving heart. Then is becomes really easy to GIVE UP. QUIT.

When we give others what we need, we are sowing good seed.

So how can we do this you ask? Here are 4 steps that will help with showing emotional generosity.

1) Each day, ask whose life can I bless today? Pray for God to let you be a blessing to someone. It could be from a kind gesture, a smile, a gentle touch or even withholding your tongue .

2) See people in their innocence instead of their guilt. If people say or do something that hurts you, acknowledge that it may not have been intentional. The pain is still there, but the negativity around it is gone.

3) Be willing to consider they might be right. For example when arguing with others, about she said, he said, they said, etc…say the words “ I am willing to consider that you might be right”. This will take the intensity down to a calmer level.

4)  Cut YOURSELF some slack. Stop being your own worst critic. Accept that we ALL make mistakes and NO ONE is perfect.

ARE YOU EMOTIONALLY GENEROUS? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Does seeing other people happy remind you how unhappy you are?

Do you see people who are pursing the same goals as you as competition?

When you have an idea, do you keep it to yourself?

If someone else is praised for something you do too, do you feel resentful?

Do you feel discontent when others experience the same successes in life you have?

Did you feel unhappy the last time you heard someone get something you wanted?

Do you find it difficult to give others compliments?

Emotional generosity is something we all have to learn and the more we experience being emotionally generous to others, the more we will desire it.

Let get in the Word:

Ever since Boaz came into Ruth’s life, Naomi has been a different person. She is no longer bitter or concern for herself. We see here that she is concerned about Ruth and Ruth’s future. It’s when we serve others that we ourselves receive the greatest joy and satisfaction.

Naomi knew that Boaz would be at his threshing floor that night, guarding his grain that had recently been harvested. Naomi told Ruth to wash, put in perfume and her best clothing. She was actually telling Ruth to act like a bride preparing for her wedding. Then she learned how to present herself to Boaz.

Ruth’s preparation and presentation is like when we come before the mercy seat of Christ. We wash ourselves from our sins, the perfume is like anointing oil that speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Salvation is pictured as a change of clothes in Luke 15:22. And being at the feet is when we come to the foot of The Cross.

If Ruth had decided to not lie at Boaz’s feet and done something of her own, Boaz would have been confused and the entire plan would have failed. Isn’t that what we do sometimes? We alter the way that God wants us to do things.

To spread one’s mantle over a person meant to claim that person for yourself. And that is what Ruth was asking Boaz to do. However, Boaz had to handle one little complication. There was another kinsman-redeemer that was a closer relation with Naomi than Boaz. Boaz didn’t want to give Ruth false hope so he explained and told her he would “handle it”.

Naomi and Ruth believed that Boaz would accomplish what he said he would do, they waited patiently. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it”.

Waiting is difficult. But God tells us in His Word to “Sit still” (Ruth 3:18 NJKV), “Stand still” (Exodus 14:13 NJKV) and “Be still” (Psalm 46:10 NJKV).

Our human nature get nervous and wants to help God out and when we try, we only make matters worse.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     Moving forward, how will you choose to be emotionally generous? Who will challenge you the most as your live emotionally generous?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     Why was Boaz at the threshing floor? What was the purpose of Ruth’s visit?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses challenged you the most this week? Why?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     That person whose name you wrote down above, go ahead and plan out a way you are going to be emotionally generous with him/her this week. Write down what his/her reaction was.